Pozzovivo hoping for top five overall in Vuelta a España

Italian climbing specialist one of two main protected riders on Ag2r La Mondiale team

Three times a top ten finisher in the Giro d’Italia, Domenico Pozzovivo is seeking to clock up his first win of the season in the Vuelta a España, as well as clock up a place well inside the top ten overall.

The Italian rider moved to the Ag2r La Mondiale team over the winter and wants to reward the trust the team showed in him in bringing him into the WorldTour. He hasn’t ridden as well as he had hoped to thus far, but feels he’s in the right condition to shine in Spain.

“I haven’t won for over a year and I would like to get a stage win during this Vuelta a España. There are many ‘bump arrivals’ [uphill finishes] and some very difficult stages. It is a route that suits me well,” he said.

“Above all, I will be focus to do well on the overall classification. I get a tenth place overall on the last Giro d’Italia and I hope for a top five on this Vuelta.”

The race begins today in Vilanova de Arousa with a 27.4 kilometre team time trial. Pozzovivo will start off as one of the team’s two leaders; the Colombian Carlos Betancur is the other. They former sees the GC as the most important goal, the latter stage wins.

The duo will be supported by Rinaldo Nocentini, Julien Bérard, Steve Chainel, Mikael Cherel, Ben Gastauer, Matteo Montaguti and Lloyd Mondory. The latter is quick enough to aim for high placings when there are sprint finishes.

Pozzovivo was seventh overall in the recent Tour de Pologne and has continued building since then. He has a feeling that the Vuelta could suit him very well.

“Everyone knows that I’m not a fan of harsh weather conditions and that I like warm weather,” he explained. “I think we should find good weather forecast in Spain that can permit me to do my best.”